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That’s literally how it works in many non-American cultures, yes.

I may not be a world-weary traveler, but I have spent time in different cultures and they have been more cordial and more interactive with each other across the store counter than the "serve me now robot" mentality of USians. The only times I have seen the "don't exchange greetings" mindset in other cultures are when it's explicitly across the class divide, where the bourgsies wouldn't deign to speak with the lowly proles serving them.

Literally what you’re trying to do

No, it's literally what Le_Wokisme and apparently you are trying to do. The default social behavior is to recognize that the person serving you is human and the common way to do that is to greet them in some way, usually by asking them about the state of their being (which is by the way common across many non-western non-global north cultures). There is room for behaving differently depending on particular circumstances. If someone behind the counter is clearly having a bad day and their body language is clear they don't want to talk, then maybe an understanding sad-smile and a nod will suffice. But insisting that we're better off or that it's more respectful to not to say anything in recognition of the human interaction you're having is absurd. I say this as an introvert with social phobias who had/has to work retail and service. It's still a thousand times more degrading to be treated as if I were a vending machine or as if I'm not even there than it is to be greeted in passing even when I don't feel like making small talk.

That’s great, happy for you and them.

Amazing what kind of positive things can come out of basic human social interactions.

How many others have you gotten fired for trying?

Am I actually reading this on hexbear? Someone is making the argument that it's wrong to attempt to let people know what their options are for unionizing because of the potential their bosses might find out and retaliate? I guess that's it, we better throw in the towel, any attempt at unionizing is a wash, now that the capitalist class might do some shit to punish it. ~~Also, @GalaxyBrain@hexbear.net made it clear they were talking about being on the service employee side of the counter - they are talking about telling their customers about their union organizers and being successful,~~ not handing out strike fliers to a worker while they're working ffs.

My advice to anyone still reading this thread is to do what you think is right for that particular circumstance with that particular service person. Obviously I can't speak for all neurodivergent people who work retail because at least one in this thread doesn't want to be greeted. But speaking for myself and the coworkers and friends I've known who have expressed their sentiments with me, many if not most of us appreciate being greeted and asked how we're doing, not ignored.